I’ve decided to try to start an occasional series of “mixtapes” on my blog. I’ll keep the running length under what would fit on a CD and provide you with a ZIP file link to download the tracks.
My goal is to share the work of artists I really enjoy and give them a little more exposure in my circle of friends. A lot of my music falls in the “indie” category and doesn’t get any play on mainstream radio. Chances are you haven’t heard of them at all.
So here is Mixtape Vol 1. I’ve taken one track from each of my top 10 album picks from 2008. You can listen to the individual tracks below, or download the zip of them all by clicking the green arrow to the left.
Feedback would be appreciated in the comments section at the bottom of the page
M83 – “We Own The Sky”From the album Saturdays = Youth
http://www.ilovem83.com/
This band put out two phenomenal albums this year and they complement each other perfectly. Saturdays = Youth is epic and raucous whereas Digital Shades is a collection of soft ambient electronica.
Fleet Foxes – “He Doesn’t Know Why”From the album Fleet Foxes
http://www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes
What pushed these guys ahead of my #3 pick was the fact that they put out 2 albums like M83. I’ve heard Fleet Foxes referred to as “renaissance rock” – one minute they are harmonizing a capella, the next they are jamming away.
Bon Iver – “The Wolves (Act I And II)”From the album For Emma, Forever Ago
http://www.boniver.org/
A quiet, intimate album by a heartbroken poet. This album played on our iPods more than any other this year.
The Raveonettes – “Blush”From the album Lust Lust Lust
http://www.theraveonettes.com/
This duo has been rocking for a while now and their new album took a different turn. Not quite as hard and loud as their previous work. This album got a lot of listens by me this year.
Air France – “June Evenings”From the album No Way Down
http://www.myspace.com/theairfrance
Had this 23-minute EP been longer it would have creeped up higher on my list. Reminiscent of a bit of Boards of Canada.
Max Richter – “A Song For Far Away”From the album 24 Postcards in Full Colour
http://www.maxrichter.com/
This modern composer created 24 short pieces with the idea that they be used as ringtones. Honestly, if I had these as my ringtones I’d never answer the phone because I’d just want to keep listening to the music.
She & Him – “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here!”From the album Volume One
http://www.sheandhim.com/
Who would have thought that indie icon M.Ward would team up with actress Zooey Deschanel (All the Real Girls, The Happening) to create an amazing pop album reminiscent of music from the 50s. This was a William & Heidi favorite to play during dinner throughout the year.
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – “You Remind Me of Something”From the album Lie Down in the Light
http://www.myspace.com/princebonniebilly
Usually when artists produce album after album after album in rapid succession, the quality of the work suffers due to the quantity. Will Oldham, aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy, manages to keep the quality just as high as the quantity. He puts out about an album a year and the past 4 have made it in my top 10 each year. Definitely check out his entire discography.
Steve Reid Ensemble – “Don’t Look Back”From the album Daxaar
http://www.steve-reid.com/
You won’t find this little known record on many Top 10 lists, but it blew me away the first time I heard it. Steve Reid is an American jazz drummer who has played with the likes of Miles Davis, James Brown, and Sun Ra. On this album, he teams up with one of my favorite electronic artists Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) and 5 or 6 Senegalese musicians. They recorded these 5 jazz tracks live in Dakar, Senegal.
The Sea and Cake – “Weekend”From the album Car Alarm
http://www.theseaandcake.com/
With over 10 albums since 1994, these Chicago rockers have been a favorite of mine since my brother-in-law introduced me to them in 1999. This latest album became a favorite as it reminded me why their music is so great and why they need to keep producing records for us all.
If you are a copyright owner of one of these tracks and wish to have it removed, please contact me and it will be promptly removed. These tracks are not posted for profit, but to promote the artists and their labels.
